For the first time in its history, Crescenta Valley United Softball qualified two teams for the USA Softball Southern California State Championship. The 12U All-Star team, managed by Charles Choe, and the 8U All-Star team, managed by Naveen Reddy, placed second and fourth, respectively, in the USA Softball Western District Championship held from June 14 to June 16 in Oxnard. 

CV United is the only organization in the Crescenta Valley and Glendale dedicated solely to girls’ fast pitch softball. The league has been on a steady upward trajectory since its formation three years ago. After reaching its first state championship in 2017, the 2018 10U squad took the USA Softball Regional Championship in a magical run through the All-Star season. This year’s qualifiers are hoping to match last summer’s lofty benchmark.

“It’s amazing to see how CV United has grown in just a few short years. It’s not just about numbers, but also in competitiveness of the league and confidence of the girls playing on the field,” said league vice president and 8U All Star manager Jessica Fong.

The Western District championship serves as the qualifying tournament for the state championship. At District, the 12U team worked its way through a 10-team bracket by rolling through two easy victories before hitting a wall against this summer’s nemesis Fillmore, which handed the team a lopsided loss. The team then bounced back with a dramatic come-from-behind 6-5 victory in the loser’s bracket vs. West Valley. The team’s prize was to meet Fillmore again in the Sunday championship game where pitcher Carley Mulcahey and the team battled through four scoreless innings before Fillmore broke through for the victory. 

The 8U team had to fight through a 12-team double elimination bracket to qualify. It was able to rattle off two quick victories vs. Hart and Sylmar before dropping into the loser’s bracket with a tough 5-0 loss to Ventura. The girls were then able to squeeze out a 5-4 victory against West Valley to secure their berth in the state championship. They lost the next contest to Newbury Park 4-2, falling just short of medaling. 

The 12U team had an 11-5 record in tournament play this summer, placing first in the Sylmar Summer Warm Up and finishing second in the Western District championship. 

“Several of our players are veterans of last year’s championship team, so success is no surprise,” said manager Charles Choe. “The key for this team is maintaining consistency. I have no doubt we can play with any team in the state championship, if we are on our game.”

The 8U team has posted a 9-6-1 record in tournament play thus far, winning the bronze division of the Thousand Oaks Memorial Day Tournament and placing second in the Westlake Agoura Summer Slam. 

“If you asked me a month ago if we would have seen the level of success that we have had thus far, I wouldn’t have believed you,” said manager Naveen Reddy. “We have a team with a ton of raw athletic talent. The challenge was ramping up quickly into All-Star season and honing that ability into softball skills.”

Both teams are excited to play the state championship in Lancaster this upcoming weekend in another double elimination tournament. Opening ceremonies are held June 28 at JetHawks Stadium – home of the class A minor league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Both teams will parade in uniform, joining 124 other teams.  The top six and eight teams, respectively, in the 8U and 12U divisions will advance to the regional championship in San Diego.

Submitted by Naveen REDDY

  Naveen REDDY